Soul Sessions Jackson

In this episode, Mayor Kane Ditto and Mike Williams, discuss the history of the JXN planetarium, the new design, and the challenges and triumphs of fundraising. The planetarium aims to provide a unique and immersive experience for visitors, with interactive displays and educational spaces. The conversation highlights the importance of the planetarium for education and tourism in Mississippi. TRANS...

In this episode, we talk to David Long, the president of the Jackson Friends of the Library who discusses the importance of promoting libraries and literacy in the city of Jackson. We also talk about the fundraising efforts and community engagement initiatives of the organization and a call to action to get involved and support the Friends of the Library. TRANSCRIPT: https://www.visitjackson.com/b...

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Yolanda Clay-Moore interviews Walt Grayson, a veteran television and radio personality in Mississippi and Grand Marshal of this year's Hal's St. Paddy's Parade. They discuss Walt's career, his coverage of Mississippi, and his experiences at the parade. The conversation highlights the sense of community and diversity at the parade, as well as the significance of th...

In this episode of Soul Sessions, we’ve put together an episode featuring The Local Palate’s Amanda FitzGerald, Chef Nick Wallace and Chef Cat Cora. It's worth listening back to hear their affections for Jackson and have them talk more about the upcoming JXN Food & Wine.

In this episode of Soul Sessions, we explore a collaborative project between Visit Jackson and Jackson State University's art department, a rebranding of local restaurants that provides real-world experience for art students. The project has had a positive impact on the students, allowing them to leave their mark on beloved Jackson institutions Bully's, Sugar's Place and Taste of the Island.

In this episode, our guest is none other than Jackson, Mississippi native and Iron Chef, Cat Cora. Cat returns home on March 2 - and says she can't wait - and talks today about her memories and culinary roots in Jackson.

In this episode, Chef Nick Wallace discusses the upcoming Jackson Food & Wine Festival and the importance of celebrating Jackson, Mississippi. He also talks about bringing fellow Top Chef contestants to Jackson and the diverse culinary talent in the state.

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Amanda FitzGerald of The Local Palate talks about the upcoming JXN Food and Wine Festival. Amanda talks about the chef lineup, the talent from Jackson and surrounding areas, the importance of the event to the capital city, the cuisine and history of Jackson, the partnership with The Local Palate, and more. Transcript: https://www.visitjackson.com/blog/soul-session...

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Keith shares the importance of musicians' contributions to the WellsFest community, an upcoming fundraiser for the late Steve Chester and an invitation to support the WellsFest CARES Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Transcript and additional links: https://www.visitjackson.com/blog/soul-sessions-keith-ferguson/

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Hal & Mal's and Campbell's Bakery Chef Damien Cavicchi discusses his love for storytelling through food and how he draws inspiration from his travels and the history of different places.

Today, we're talking to Brad Kamikaze Franklin, the founder of Jackson Indie Music Week, a seven-day music festival that celebrates independent music in Jackson, Mississippi. The conversation covers the origins of the event, its growth and impact, and the recognition of Visit Jackson's contributions to the independent music scene.

Kaegan Sparks, the new curator at the Mississippi Museum of Art, talks to us about the significance of their latest exhibition - the final stop on a multi-state tour that focuses on the landscapes of an artist that everyone knows - Pablo Picasso.

On this episode, we talk with Chief Anu Amen-Ra – the Sartorial Tobacconist and Season 4 host of Dirty Napkins – to learn how one man shares his family legacy while finding a career in doing something he truly loves.

Eudora's Mississippi Brasserie operating partner, Tyler Alford, explores the origins of his unapologetically fine dining establishment and gives us a background on where he's been and the experience he's bringing to the City with Soul's culinary landscape. https://eudoras.com/ Transcript: https://www.visitjackson.com/blog/soul-sessions-tyler-alford-eudoras

The Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival, celebrating 50 years since its inception in 1973, is set to take place at Jackson State University. The festival was originally organized by poet Margaret Walker and brought together 30 leading black female authors. The event aimed to celebrate Black women writers and pay homage to Wheatley, the first Black woman to publish a book of poetry in the United State...

Today on our show, Dr. Clay Hays, President of Jackson Heart Clinic and Vice Chair of the Jackson Heart Foundation was one of the people instrumental in bringing about the Museum Trail and pushing for its expansion, like this month's Waterworks Connector in the Waterworks Curve.

Today, we’re talking with Chris Goodwin, the special projects manager for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. He's the man behind History is Lunch and other fascinating programs. And, we've been planning this for so long that Chris has just added more to his plate.

Today, we've freshened up and episode - a conversation my colleague Yolanda Clay-Moore has a conversation with the 22nd head coach of the Jackson State University Tigers, TC Taylor. Coach Taylor talks about his lifelong preparation for the job and he recruits players and coaches for the team. And to say the coach understands the gravity of the big shoes he's filling, all that might be an understat...

Today we're talking WellsFest, the annual family-friendly, alcohol-free event, with food, kids' fun, and a full day of local music. Each year, a local organization benefits from this fundraiser. I'm talking to Robert Langford today, Executive Director of Operation Shoestring, this year's WellsFest charity.

Today on this special edition of the show, we talk to Andrea Patterson about the Mississippi Science Fest weekend, September 14 through 16.

Today, we're talking with Ryan Parker, a Jackson-based publicist and promoter for TV and film. After recently moving back home, Ryan is bringing movie screenings to local theaters like the Capri and is planning for even bigger adventures through his recently founded Mississippi Film Society.

Today, De Shannon Williams is one of the owners of Smokey's Meal on Wheels food truck, and she's an organizer of Food Truck Fridays, which have returned to Smith Park in downtown Jackson every first, third and fifth Friday.

Today on Soul Sessions, Mississippi Book Festival Director Ellen Daniels talks about the shape of the 2023 festival, her favorite authors and why she says community plays a huge role in Mississippi's literacy lawn party.

Today on Soul Sessions, Jackson Music Awards founder Jesse Thompson shares with us his legacy - three award shows and even more to come, and he says he's ready to give it another 50 years. Yolanda Clay-Moore, who is also a pretty good singer herself, sits down with Jesse for this musical conversation about a very special weekend.

Today on Soul Sessions, we're talking with Chef Chaz Lindsay and General Manager Jonathan Webb of Pulito Osteria at the Belhaven Town Center.